In family law, child custody and visitation (also known as parenting plans) issues are generally the most concerning and stressful for clients. The determination of physical and legal custody can be of the utmost importance to clients. You need experienced representation to ensure that all of your concerns regarding custody and parenting plans are properly addressed.

Child Custody

Attorney Moors is knowledgeable, qualified and prepared to assist you in procuring the best possible order that best suits your family and the needs of your children. Each custody case is unique in its own respect and no two cases can be handled exactly the same. This is why we begin each case by identifying your concerns for your children and any other circumstances surrounding your life and the lives of your children.

Massachusetts standards for determining custody and parenting plans are based upon the “best interest of the child” which has to be decided on a case by case basis.

As mandated by child custody laws in Massachusetts, the courts are prohibited to make a presumption of favoring one form of custody over another. The Courts are also prohibited to make a presumption of favoring one parent over the other. The court considers a number of factors including:

the child’s emotional, physical, mental, or moral health;

the present living conditions of the child;

whether or not the parents have attended parent education classes;

any history of domestic abuse, child abuse, or negligence;

Whether or not the parents have agreed to a custody arrangement.

the parent-child relationship; and

the parents’ mental and physical health as well as moral character

In most cases, parents can reach an agreement as to custody and parenting plans with the assistance of counsel. However, in cases where the parties are unable to agree, court intervention will be necessary. The Court may appoint a Guardian Ad Litem to investigate factual issue involved in your custody dispute. A Guardian Ad Litem investigation often involves interviews with both parents and the children, collateral sources and it could involve reviewing the children’s medical and educational records.

Attorney Moors has the experience and knowledge to assist you in determining the best approach and course of action for your child custody case.

Child Custody in Massachusetts is broken into two categories:

Physical custody meaning the parent with whom the child primarily resides; and

Parenting Plans

A parenting plan needs to be implemented which determining how the parties share parenting time with their minor children. Parenting plans typically determine when each parent has the children during the week, weekends, holidays and vacations.

Let Swanson & Moors, LLC Help You Today

If you have any legal needs regarding child support and visitation, you can’t afford to pass up a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Contact Swanson & Moors, LLC today.

Swanson & Moors, LLC services all of Plymouth County, Bristol County, Norfolk County, and Barnstable County.